Apparatuses and methods for detecting characteristics of one or more tether devices

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining input data, processing the input data to generate output data, the output data including an identification of one or more characteristics associated with tethered communications involving at least a first user equipment, and based on the identification of the one or more characteristics, causing an action to be taken. Other embodiments are disclosed.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to apparatuses and methods for detectingcharacteristics of one or more tether devices.

BACKGROUND

As the world increasingly becomes connected via vast communicationnetworks and systems and via various communication devices, additionalopportunities are created/generated to provision communication servicesto users/subscribers. A user equipment (UE) may utilize resources of aservice provider or network operator to engage in communication sessionsof various types/kinds as part of the communication services. In someinstances, a hotspot may be used to obtain access to communicationservices. For example, and assuming that a laptop lacks an ability toconnect to resources associated with a service provider when at a givenphysical location, another device (e.g., a smartphone) may be used tobridge the lack of connection, such that the laptop may accesscommunication services via the another device at the physical location.The use of the another device in this context is often referred to astethering in the art.

While the use of hotspots/tethering is generally effective at extendingthe scope/reach of communication services, it raises additionalconsiderations. For example, using conventional techniques a serviceprovider might lack visibility into the extent of a usage of tethering,which can have an impact on resource allocations. Still further, thelack of visibility may result in a degraded or suboptimaluser/subscriber experience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary, non-limitingembodiment of a communications network in accordance with variousaspects described herein.

FIGS. 2A-2B are block diagrams illustrating example, non-limitingembodiments of systems in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 2C depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method in accordancewith various aspects described herein.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a virtualized communication network in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of amobile network platform in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acommunication device in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments for detecting a use of a tether or hotspot in respect ofcommunications and taking one or more actions in accordance with thedetecting. Other embodiments are described in the subject disclosure.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include, in whole or inpart, obtaining input data; processing the input data to generate outputdata, the output data including an identification of one or morecharacteristics associated with tethered communications involving atleast a first user equipment; and based on the identification of the oneor more characteristics, causing an action to be taken.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include, in whole or inpart, identifying a pattern in communications involving a firstcommunication device; based on the identifying of the pattern,determining that a probability that the first communication device and asecond communication device are engaged in tethered communications isgreater than a threshold; and based on the determining that theprobability is greater than the threshold, allocating a network resourceto a communication session involving the first communication device.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include, in whole or inpart, detecting, by a processing system including a processor, that afirst user equipment is being used as a hotspot in respect of at least asecond user equipment and a third user equipment based on an analysis ofdata via machine learning; and modifying, by the processing system andbased on the detecting, a value of a communication parameter associatedwith the first user equipment to enhance a first quality of a firstcommunication session involving the second user equipment and a secondquality of a second communication session involving the third userequipment.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , a block diagram is shown illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a system 100 in accordance withvarious aspects described herein. For example, system 100 can facilitatein whole or in part obtaining input data, processing the input data togenerate output data, the output data including an identification of oneor more characteristics associated with tethered communicationsinvolving at least a first user equipment, and based on theidentification of the one or more characteristics, causing an action tobe taken. System 100 can facilitate in whole or in part identifying apattern in communications involving a first communication device, basedon the identifying of the pattern, determining that a probability thatthe first communication device and a second communication device areengaged in tethered communications is greater than a threshold, andbased on the determining that the probability is greater than thethreshold, allocating a network resource to a communication sessioninvolving the first communication device. System 100 can facilitate inwhole or in part detecting, by a processing system including aprocessor, that a first user equipment is being used as a hotspot inrespect of at least a second user equipment and a third user equipmentbased on an analysis of data via machine learning, and modifying, by theprocessing system and based on the detecting, a value of a communicationparameter associated with the first user equipment to enhance a firstquality of a first communication session involving the second userequipment and a second quality of a second communication sessioninvolving the third user equipment.

In particular, in FIG. 1 a communications network 125 is presented forproviding broadband access 110 to a plurality of data terminals 114 viaaccess terminal 112, wireless access 120 to a plurality of mobiledevices 124 and vehicle 126 via base station or access point 122, voiceaccess 130 to a plurality of telephony devices 134, via switching device132 and/or media access 140 to a plurality of audio/video displaydevices 144 via media terminal 142. In addition, communication network125 is coupled to one or more content sources 175 of audio, video,graphics, text and/or other media. While broadband access 110, wirelessaccess 120, voice access 130 and media access 140 are shown separately,one or more of these forms of access can be combined to provide multipleaccess services to a single client device (e.g., mobile devices 124 canreceive media content via media terminal 142, data terminal 114 can beprovided voice access via switching device 132, and so on).

The communications network 125 includes a plurality of network elements(NE) 150, 152, 154, 156, etc. for facilitating the broadband access 110,wireless access 120, voice access 130, media access 140 and/or thedistribution of content from content sources 175. The communicationsnetwork 125 can include a circuit switched or packet switched network, avoice over Internet protocol (VoIP) network, Internet protocol (IP)network, a cable network, a passive or active optical network, a 4G, 5G,or higher generation wireless access network, WIMAX network,UltraWideband network, personal area network or other wireless accessnetwork, a broadcast satellite network and/or other communicationsnetwork.

In various embodiments, the access terminal 112 can include a digitalsubscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), cable modem terminationsystem (CMTS), optical line terminal (OLT) and/or other access terminal.The data terminals 114 can include personal computers, laptop computers,netbook computers, tablets or other computing devices along with digitalsubscriber line (DSL) modems, data over coax service interfacespecification (DOCSIS) modems or other cable modems, a wireless modemsuch as a 4G, 5G, or higher generation modem, an optical modem and/orother access devices.

In various embodiments, the base station or access point 122 can includea 4G, 5G, or higher generation base station, an access point thatoperates via an 802.11 standard such as 802.11n, 802.11ac or otherwireless access terminal. The mobile devices 124 can include mobilephones, e-readers, tablets, phablets, wireless modems, and/or othermobile computing devices.

In various embodiments, the switching device 132 can include a privatebranch exchange or central office switch, a media services gateway, VoIPgateway or other gateway device and/or other switching device. Thetelephony devices 134 can include traditional telephones (with orwithout a terminal adapter), VoIP telephones and/or other telephonydevices.

In various embodiments, the media terminal 142 can include a cablehead-end or other TV head-end, a satellite receiver, gateway or othermedia terminal 142. The display devices 144 can include televisions withor without a set top box, personal computers and/or other displaydevices.

In various embodiments, the content sources 175 include broadcasttelevision and radio sources, video on demand platforms and streamingvideo and audio services platforms, one or more content data networks,data servers, web servers and other content servers, and/or othersources of media.

In various embodiments, the communications network 125 can includewired, optical and/or wireless links and the network elements 150, 152,154, 156, etc. can include service switching points, signal transferpoints, service control points, network gateways, media distributionhubs, servers, firewalls, routers, edge devices, switches and othernetwork nodes for routing and controlling communications traffic overwired, optical and wireless links as part of the Internet and otherpublic networks as well as one or more private networks, for managingsubscriber access, for billing and network management and for supportingother network functions.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a system 200 a in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein. In some embodiments, one or more portions of thesystem 200 a may function within, or may be operatively overlaid upon,one or more portions of the system 100 (such as, for example, one ormore portions of the network 125) of FIG. 1 .

The system 200 a may include one or more client devices or userequipment (UE), such as for example a first UE 202 a-1, a second UE 202a-2, a third UE 202 a-3, and a fourth UE 202 a-4. In the particularembodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the first UE 202 a-1 may be supporting ahotspot or tether in respect of the other UEs 202 a-2 through 202 a-4,such that the UEs 202 a-2 through 202 a-4 may obtain access tocommunication services (e.g., data services, voice services, videoservices, web browsing, etc.) via the first UE 202 a-1. The use of thefirst UE 202 a-1 for supporting the hotspot or tether in FIG. 2A isillustrative, which is to say that in other instances or at other pointsin time another of the UEs (e.g., the second UE 202 a-2) maysupply/support the hotspot or tether. In some embodiments, the UEs 202a-1 through 202 a-4 may be associated with one or more serviceproviders, potentially in conjunction with a license or subscriptionplan. For example, the first UE 202 a-1 may be associated with a firstservice provider/network operator, and the UEs 202 a-2 through 202 a-4may be associated with one or more other/secondary serviceproviders/network operators that is/are different from the first serviceprovider/network operator.

The first UE 202 a-1 may be communicatively coupled to networkinfrastructure (NI) 206 a, such as for example a base station (BS). TheNI 206 a may be communicatively coupled to a gateway 210 a, such as forexample a serving gateway (SGW). The gateway 210 a may be responsiblefor routing and forwarding user data packets as part of providingcommunication services to the first UE 202 a-1 (and one or more of theother UEs 202 a-2 through 202 a-4 in conjunction with the tetheringdescribed above) and may perform other functions as would be appreciatedby one of skill in the art.

In FIG. 2A, there is an application (App) 214 a disposed between the NI206 a and the gateway 210 a. The App 214 a may monitor, capture orsample traffic on one or more interfaces (e.g., an Si interface) forpurposes of detecting/identifying characteristics associated with thetethering involving the UEs 202 a-1 through 202 a-4 described above. Insome embodiments, the monitoring, capturing, or sampling of the trafficby the App 214 a may be facilitated by one or more (network) probes.

Referring now to FIG. 2B, a block diagram illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of a system 200 b in accordance with variousaspects described herein is shown. In some embodiments, one or moreportions of the system 200 b may function within, or may be operativelyoverlaid upon, one or more portions of the system 100 (such as, forexample, one or more portions of the network 125) of FIG. 1 . Whileshown separately, in some embodiments one or more parts/portions of thesystem 200 b may be combined with one or more parts/portions of thesystem 200 a. Stated differently aspects or features of the systems 200a and 200 b may be combined as part of a larger or different system.

The system 200 b may include a processing system 204 b (which mayinclude one or more processors) that may process a set of one or moreinput data sets/elements, such as first input data 208 b-1, second inputdata 208 b-2, third input data 208 b-3, and fourth input data 208 b-4 togenerate output data 212 b. In operation, the system 200 b mayfacilitate a detection or identification of characteristics of tetheringas described above. In a particular instance or embodiment of the system200 b: the first input data 208 b-1 may include data pertaining to anaccess point name (APN)/evolved packet system (EPS) bearer identity(EBI) in relation to GTP-C traffic; the second input data 208 b-2 mayinclude data pertaining to a TTL/Hop-Limit from an inner tunnel GTP-Utraffic; the third input data 208 b-3 may include data pertaining todomain name system (DNS) information; and the fourth input data 208 b-4may include international mobile equipment identity/mobile stationintegrated services digital network (IMEI/MSISDN) information, which maybe representative of the types or kinds of devices that are engaging inthe tethering described above. The types of data just described inrelation to the input data 208 b-1 through 208 b-4 is illustrative,which is to say that different types of data may be utilized,individually or in any combination, in a given embodiment or instance ofthe system 200 b without departing from the scope and spirit of thisdisclosure. In general, any type or kind of input data may be utilizedthat may lend insight into the nature or characteristics of tetheringthat is involved/utilized (if any).

The input data (e.g., the input data 208 b-1 through 208 b-4) may beprocessed by the processing system 204 b to generate the output data 212b. The processing system 204 b may execute one or more algorithms aspart of generating the output data 212 b. In some embodiments, theprocessing system 204 b may include/incorporate machine learning (ML)and/or artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to generate the outputdata 212 b. For example, deep learning methodologies or procedures maybe utilized by the processing system 208 b, potentially in conjunctionwith data associated with a cloud network. The processing system 208 bmay include/incorporate a controller or manager that may adhere to oneor more rules or policies for generating the output data 212 b. One ormore testing procedures or techniques may be utilized by the processingsystem 208 b as part of generating the output data 212 b. For example,the testing may be performed in respect of timestamps (or otherparameters) to identify or detect patterns or trends in the input data.

The output data 212 b may include data corresponding to characteristicsof tethering or hotspot utilization. For example, and withoutlimitation, the output data 212 b may include data or informationpertaining to: an indication of whether a hotspot is allowed/permitted(which may be a function of a data or service plan or agreement), anamount of traffic (such as, for example, a total number of bytes, words,double words, etc.) associated with communications involving a hotspotor tether, an indication of a total number of devices (e.g., userequipment) engaging in tethering, an indication of a type or kind of oneor more devices that is/are engaging in tethering, a time duration of atethering session (potentially inclusive of an indication of a starttime or an end time of the session, on an absolute or relative basis),an indication of a location of devices that are engaged in tethering (onan absolute or a relative basis, such as a distance relative to anotherdevice or entity), a provider of one or more devices (e.g., one or moremobile devices) involved in tethering, an indication of communicationparameters (e.g., a type of technology, frequency or frequency bands,transmission power levels, receiver sensitivity levels, noise orinterference, security (e.g., encryption/decryption) schemes,modulation/demodulation schemes, encoding/decoding schemes, etc.)utilized by devices engaging in tethering, etc., or any combinationthereof.

One or more actions may be taken or invoked based on characteristics ofany tethering that may have been performed, or may be performed, asrepresented in/by the output data 212 b. For example, network resourcesmay be reallocated from an under-utilized portion of a network in adirection towards devices engaged in tethering to enhance theuser/subscriber experience (e.g., to reduce delay or latency in datatransfer operations as might be perceived by users/subscribers involvedin tethering).

To the extent that tethering that may be engaged in is improper (e.g.,violates a subscription or service contract/agreement), a grade or levelof service associated with a device involved in the tethering may bemodified (e.g., may be reduced, suspended, cancelled/terminated, etc.),warnings may be issued to the associated user/subscriber, securitywithin a network may be enhanced via an allocation of additionalresources, etc.

In another example, if a device (e.g., any of the UEs 202 a-2 through202 a-4 in FIG. 2A) that is relying on the tether to obtain access toservices is associated with a secondary service provider, and anotherdevice (e.g., the first UE 202 a-1 in FIG. 2A) that is supplying thelink/tether/hotspot is associated with a primary service provider, theprimary service provider may direct resources associated with anadvertising campaign to a user/subscriber of the device that is relianton the tether. The advertising campaign that is directed to theuser/subscriber of the device may include information that isrepresentative of the tethering that was engaged in to enhance theeffectiveness of the advertisement; e.g., the advertising campaigndirected to the user/subscriber of the device may state something to theeffect: “It appears that on (insert date here), you engaged incommunication services via our (insert primary service providername/brand here) network using a hotspot at location (insert name oridentification of location here). Did you know that our cellular anddata network has a broader scope of coverage than many of ourcompetitors? So, if you switch to (insert primary service providername/brand here) service, the next time you are at (insert name oridentification of location here) you won't have to rely on the hotspot.”

The foregoing actions are representative of the types of actions thatmay be facilitated based on an analysis of the output data 212 b. Stateddifferently, other actions may be included in various embodiments.

Referring now to FIG. 2C, an illustrative embodiment of a method 200 cin accordance with various aspects described herein is shown. The method200 c may be implemented or executed, in whole or in part, inconjunction with one or more systems, devices, and/or components, suchas for example the systems, devices, and components set forth herein.The method 200 c may facilitate an identification or detection ofcharacteristics associated with tethered/hotspot communications. Basedon the identified characteristics, one or more actions may be invoked ortaken.

In block 202 c, input data may be obtained. For example, the input dataof block 202 c may correspond to one or more input data sets orelements, such as for example the input data 208 b-1 through 208 b-4shown and described above in relation to FIG. 2B.

In block 206 c, the input data of block 202 c may be processed. Theprocessing of block 206 c may serve to identify signatures or patternsin communications. The signatures or patterns in the communications mayindicate a probability or likelihood that tethering is being utilized(or, analogously, that tethering is not being utilized), potentially inrelation to one or more thresholds. To the extent that tethering isbeing utilized (or is likely being utilized), the processing of block206 c may provide an indication of one or more (other) characteristicsof the tethering, such as for example one or more of the characteristicsdescribed above.

In block 210 c, one or more actions may be invoked or undertaken basedon one or more of the characteristics identified/detected as part ofblock 206 c. For example, the one or more actions of block 210 c mayinclude one or more of the actions set forth above.

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respectiveprocesses are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 2C, itis to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter isnot limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what isdepicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks maybe required to implement the methods described herein.

Aspects of this disclosure may serve to identify whether communicationsare being facilitated by a hotspot or tethering. Such an identificationmay yield/highlight information associated with network coverage (orlack thereof) (potentially in relation to obstacles orinterference/noise that may impede communications), network or devicesecurity vulnerabilities, user/subscriber behaviors and expectations,etc., or any combination thereof. Based on the information, resourcesmay be allocated or reallocated to enhance productivity or efficiency inoperations. In this regard, aspects of this disclosure may representsubstantial improvements relative to conventional techniques andtechnologies.

Aspects of this disclosure may be included or integrated as part of oneor more practical applications. For example, and as set forth above,aspects of this disclosure may be utilized in a provisioning ofcommunication services, whereby such communication services may becustomized/tailored to meet goals or objectives associated with(patterns or trends in) tethering or hotspots. Suffice it to say, and asdemonstrated above, aspects of this disclosure generate highlytransformative, useful, concrete, and tangible results in terms of,e.g., a management and facilitation of communication sessions (orassociated communication resources), such that it cannot reasonably beasserted that aspects of this disclosure are directed to abstract ideas.To the contrary, and as demonstrated above, aspects of this disclosureare directed to significantly more than any abstract idea standingalone.

In some embodiments, tether devices may be detected via a use ofMSIPv6/UEIPv6. Every time a new tether device connects, (GTP-U innertunnel) traffic for, e.g., an uplink direction may be used/accessed. Auser experience improvement program (UEIP), potentially in relation tocontrol plane data, may also be examined or analyzed to detect orobserve trends in relation to tethering or hotspot utilization. In someembodiments, a user agent (e.g., a HTTP user agent) may be used todetermine or identify tether traffic for different devices. In someembodiments, DNS-based techniques may be used to identify differentservice provider domains. In some instances, headers (or other fields)associated with data traffic may be examined or analyzed to identifycharacteristics associated with the data traffic.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , a block diagram 300 is shown illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a virtualized communication networkin accordance with various aspects described herein. In particular avirtualized communication network is presented that can be used toimplement some or all of the subsystems and functions of system 100, thesubsystems and functions of system 200 a and/or 200 b, and method 200 cpresented in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 2C. For example, virtualizedcommunication network 300 can facilitate in whole or in part obtaininginput data, processing the input data to generate output data, theoutput data including an identification of one or more characteristicsassociated with tethered communications involving at least a first userequipment, and based on the identification of the one or morecharacteristics, causing an action to be taken. Virtualizedcommunication network 300 can facilitate in whole or in part identifyinga pattern in communications involving a first communication device,based on the identifying of the pattern, determining that a probabilitythat the first communication device and a second communication deviceare engaged in tethered communications is greater than a threshold, andbased on the determining that the probability is greater than thethreshold, allocating a network resource to a communication sessioninvolving the first communication device. Virtualized communicationnetwork 300 can facilitate in whole or in part detecting, by aprocessing system including a processor, that a first user equipment isbeing used as a hotspot in respect of at least a second user equipmentand a third user equipment based on an analysis of data via machinelearning, and modifying, by the processing system and based on thedetecting, a value of a communication parameter associated with thefirst user equipment to enhance a first quality of a first communicationsession involving the second user equipment and a second quality of asecond communication session involving the third user equipment.

In particular, a cloud networking architecture is shown that leveragescloud technologies and supports rapid innovation and scalability via atransport layer 350, a virtualized network function cloud 325 and/or oneor more cloud computing environments 375. In various embodiments, thiscloud networking architecture is an open architecture that leveragesapplication programming interfaces (APIs); reduces complexity fromservices and operations; supports more nimble business models; andrapidly and seamlessly scales to meet evolving customer requirementsincluding traffic growth, diversity of traffic types, and diversity ofperformance and reliability expectations.

In contrast to traditional network elements—which are typicallyintegrated to perform a single function, the virtualized communicationnetwork employs virtual network elements (VNEs) 330, 332, 334, etc. thatperform some or all of the functions of network elements 150, 152, 154,156, etc. For example, the network architecture can provide a substrateof networking capability, often called Network Function VirtualizationInfrastructure (NFVI) or simply infrastructure that is capable of beingdirected with software and Software Defined Networking (SDN) protocolsto perform a broad variety of network functions and services. Thisinfrastructure can include several types of substrates. The most typicaltype of substrate being servers that support Network FunctionVirtualization (NFV), followed by packet forwarding capabilities basedon generic computing resources, with specialized network technologiesbrought to bear when general-purpose processors or general-purposeintegrated circuit devices offered by merchants (referred to herein asmerchant silicon) are not appropriate. In this case, communicationservices can be implemented as cloud-centric workloads.

As an example, a traditional network element 150 (shown in FIG. 1 ),such as an edge router can be implemented via a VNE 330 composed of NFVsoftware modules, merchant silicon, and associated controllers. Thesoftware can be written so that increasing workload consumes incrementalresources from a common resource pool, and moreover so that it iselastic: so, the resources are only consumed when needed. In a similarfashion, other network elements such as other routers, switches, edgecaches, and middle boxes are instantiated from the common resource pool.Such sharing of infrastructure across a broad set of uses makes planningand growing infrastructure easier to manage.

In an embodiment, the transport layer 350 includes fiber, cable, wiredand/or wireless transport elements, network elements and interfaces toprovide broadband access 110, wireless access 120, voice access 130,media access 140 and/or access to content sources 175 for distributionof content to any or all of the access technologies. In particular, insome cases a network element needs to be positioned at a specific place,and this allows for less sharing of common infrastructure. Other times,the network elements have specific physical layer adapters that cannotbe abstracted or virtualized and might require special DSP code andanalog front ends (AFEs) that do not lend themselves to implementationas VNEs 330, 332 or 334. These network elements can be included intransport layer 350.

The virtualized network function cloud 325 interfaces with the transportlayer 350 to provide the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide specificNFVs. In particular, the virtualized network function cloud 325leverages cloud operations, applications, and architectures to supportnetworking workloads. The virtualized network elements 330, 332 and 334can employ network function software that provides either a one-for-onemapping of traditional network element function or alternately somecombination of network functions designed for cloud computing. Forexample, VNEs 330, 332 and 334 can include route reflectors, domain namesystem (DNS) servers, and dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP)servers, system architecture evolution (SAE) and/or mobility managemententity (MME) gateways, broadband network gateways, IP edge routers forIP-VPN, Ethernet and other services, load balancers, distributers andother network elements. Because these elements do not typically need toforward large amounts of traffic, their workload can be distributedacross a number of servers—each of which adds a portion of thecapability, and which creates an elastic function with higheravailability overall than its former monolithic version. These virtualnetwork elements 330, 332, 334, etc. can be instantiated and managedusing an orchestration approach similar to those used in cloud computeservices.

The cloud computing environments 375 can interface with the virtualizednetwork function cloud 325 via APIs that expose functional capabilitiesof the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide the flexible and expandedcapabilities to the virtualized network function cloud 325. Inparticular, network workloads may have applications distributed acrossthe virtualized network function cloud 325 and cloud computingenvironment 375 and in the commercial cloud or might simply orchestrateworkloads supported entirely in NFV infrastructure from thesethird-party locations.

Turning now to FIG. 4 , there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein. In order to provide additional context for various embodimentsof the embodiments described herein, FIG. 4 and the following discussionare intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitablecomputing environment 400 in which the various embodiments of thesubject disclosure can be implemented. In particular, computingenvironment 400 can be used in the implementation of network elements150, 152, 154, 156, access terminal 112, base station or access point122, switching device 132, media terminal 142, and/or VNEs 330, 332,334, etc. Each of these devices can be implemented viacomputer-executable instructions that can run on one or more computers,and/or in combination with other program modules and/or as a combinationof hardware and software. For example, computing environment 400 canfacilitate in whole or in part obtaining input data, processing theinput data to generate output data, the output data including anidentification of one or more characteristics associated with tetheredcommunications involving at least a first user equipment, and based onthe identification of the one or more characteristics, causing an actionto be taken. Computing environment 400 can facilitate in whole or inpart identifying a pattern in communications involving a firstcommunication device, based on the identifying of the pattern,determining that a probability that the first communication device and asecond communication device are engaged in tethered communications isgreater than a threshold, and based on the determining that theprobability is greater than the threshold, allocating a network resourceto a communication session involving the first communication device.Computing environment 400 can facilitate in whole or in part detecting,by a processing system including a processor, that a first userequipment is being used as a hotspot in respect of at least a seconduser equipment and a third user equipment based on an analysis of datavia machine learning, and modifying, by the processing system and basedon the detecting, a value of a communication parameter associated withthe first user equipment to enhance a first quality of a firstcommunication session involving the second user equipment and a secondquality of a second communication session involving the third userequipment.

Generally, program modules comprise routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, comprising single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

As used herein, a processing circuit includes one or more processors aswell as other application specific circuits such as an applicationspecific integrated circuit, digital logic circuit, state machine,programmable gate array or other circuit that processes input signals ordata and that produces output signals or data in response thereto. Itshould be noted that while any functions and features described hereinin association with the operation of a processor could likewise beperformed by a processing circuit.

The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be alsopracticed in distributed computing environments where certain tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically comprise a variety of media, which cancomprise computer-readable storage media and/or communications media,which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and comprises both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structured dataor unstructured data.

Computer-readable storage media can comprise, but are not limited to,random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or othermemory technology, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digitalversatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devicesor other tangible and/or non-transitory media which can be used to storedesired information. In this regard, the terms “tangible” or“non-transitory” herein as applied to storage, memory orcomputer-readable media, are to be understood to exclude onlypropagating transitory signals per se as modifiers and do not relinquishrights to all standard storage, memory or computer-readable media thatare not only propagating transitory signals per se.

Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or more local orremote computing devices, e.g., via access requests, queries or otherdata retrieval protocols, for a variety of operations with respect tothe information stored by the medium.

Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructureddata in a data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrierwave or other transport mechanism, and comprises any informationdelivery or transport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signalsrefers to a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set orchanged in such a manner as to encode information in one or moresignals. By way of example, and not limitation, communication mediacomprise wired media, such as a wired network or direct-wiredconnection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and otherwireless media.

With reference again to FIG. 4 , the example environment can comprise acomputer 402, the computer 402 comprising a processing unit 404, asystem memory 406 and a system bus 408. The system bus 408 couplessystem components including, but not limited to, the system memory 406to the processing unit 404. The processing unit 404 can be any ofvarious commercially available processors. Dual microprocessors andother multiprocessor architectures can also be employed as theprocessing unit 404.

The system bus 408 can be any of several types of bus structure that canfurther interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 406comprises ROM 410 and RAM 412. A basic input/output system (BIOS) can bestored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmable readonly memory (EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routines thathelp to transfer information between elements within the computer 402,such as during startup. The RAM 412 can also comprise a high-speed RAMsuch as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 402 further comprises an internal hard disk drive (HDD) 414(e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal HDD 414 can also be configured forexternal use in a suitable chassis (not shown), a magnetic floppy diskdrive (FDD) 416, (e.g., to read from or write to a removable diskette418) and an optical disk drive 420, (e.g., reading a CD-ROM disk 422 or,to read from or write to other high-capacity optical media such as theDVD). The HDD 414, magnetic FDD 416 and optical disk drive 420 can beconnected to the system bus 408 by a hard disk drive interface 424, amagnetic disk drive interface 426 and an optical drive interface 428,respectively. The hard disk drive interface 424 for external driveimplementations comprises at least one or both of Universal Serial Bus(USB) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394interface technologies. Other external drive connection technologies arewithin contemplation of the embodiments described herein.

The drives and their associated computer-readable storage media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 402, the drives and storagemedia accommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format.Although the description of computer-readable storage media above refersto a hard disk drive (HDD), a removable magnetic diskette, and aremovable optical media such as a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that other types of storage media which arereadable by a computer, such as zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flashmemory cards, cartridges, and the like, can also be used in the exampleoperating environment, and further, that any such storage media cancontain computer-executable instructions for performing the methodsdescribed herein.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 412,comprising an operating system 430, one or more application programs432, other program modules 434 and program data 436. All or portions ofthe operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also becached in the RAM 412. The systems and methods described herein can beimplemented utilizing various commercially available operating systemsor combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 402 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 438 and apointing device, such as a mouse 440. Other input devices (not shown)can comprise a microphone, an infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick,a game pad, a stylus pen, touch screen or the like. These and otherinput devices are often connected to the processing unit 404 through aninput device interface 442 that can be coupled to the system bus 408,but can be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, anIEEE 1394 serial port, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB) port,an IR interface, etc.

A monitor 444 or other type of display device can be also connected tothe system bus 408 via an interface, such as a video adapter 446. Itwill also be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, a monitor 444can also be any display device (e.g., another computer having a display,a smart phone, a tablet computer, etc.) for receiving displayinformation associated with computer 402 via any communication means,including via the Internet and cloud-based networks. In addition to themonitor 444, a computer typically comprises other peripheral outputdevices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 402 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 448. The remotecomputer(s) 448 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentappliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallycomprises many or all of the elements described relative to the computer402, although, for purposes of brevity, only a remote memory/storagedevice 450 is illustrated. The logical connections depicted comprisewired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 452 and/orlarger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 454. Such LAN and WANnetworking environments are commonplace in offices and companies, andfacilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all ofwhich can connect to a global communications network, e.g., theInternet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 402 can beconnected to the LAN 452 through a wired and/or wireless communicationnetwork interface or adapter 456. The adapter 456 can facilitate wiredor wireless communication to the LAN 452, which can also comprise awireless AP disposed thereon for communicating with the adapter 456.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 402 can comprisea modem 458 or can be connected to a communications server on the WAN454 or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN 454,such as by way of the Internet. The modem 458, which can be internal orexternal and a wired or wireless device, can be connected to the systembus 408 via the input device interface 442. In a networked environment,program modules depicted relative to the computer 402 or portionsthereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device 450. It willbe appreciated that the network connections shown are example and othermeans of establishing a communications link between the computers can beused.

The computer 402 can be operable to communicate with any wirelessdevices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication,e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portabledata assistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment orlocation associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk,news stand, restroom), and telephone. This can comprise WirelessFidelity (Wi-Fi) and BLUETOOTH® wireless technologies. Thus, thecommunication can be a predefined structure as with a conventionalnetwork or simply an ad hoc communication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi can allow connection to the Internet from a couch at home, a bedin a hotel room or a conference room at work, without wires. Wi-Fi is awireless technology similar to that used in a cell phone that enablessuch devices, e.g., computers, to send and receive data indoors and out;anywhere within the range of a base station. Wi-Fi networks use radiotechnologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, n, ac, ag, etc.) to providesecure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can beused to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wirednetworks (which can use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operatein the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands for example or with productsthat contain both bands (dual band), so the networks can providereal-world performance similar to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernetnetworks used in many offices.

Turning now to FIG. 5 , an embodiment 500 of a mobile network platform510 is shown that is an example of network elements 150, 152, 154, 156,and/or VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. For example, platform 510 can facilitatein whole or in part obtaining input data, processing the input data togenerate output data, the output data including an identification of oneor more characteristics associated with tethered communicationsinvolving at least a first user equipment, and based on theidentification of the one or more characteristics, causing an action tobe taken. Platform 510 can facilitate in whole or in part identifying apattern in communications involving a first communication device, basedon the identifying of the pattern, determining that a probability thatthe first communication device and a second communication device areengaged in tethered communications is greater than a threshold, andbased on the determining that the probability is greater than thethreshold, allocating a network resource to a communication sessioninvolving the first communication device. Platform 510 can facilitate inwhole or in part detecting, by a processing system including aprocessor, that a first user equipment is being used as a hotspot inrespect of at least a second user equipment and a third user equipmentbased on an analysis of data via machine learning, and modifying, by theprocessing system and based on the detecting, a value of a communicationparameter associated with the first user equipment to enhance a firstquality of a first communication session involving the second userequipment and a second quality of a second communication sessioninvolving the third user equipment.

In one or more embodiments, the mobile network platform 510 can generateand receive signals transmitted and received by base stations or accesspoints such as base station or access point 122. Generally, mobilenetwork platform 510 can comprise components, e.g., nodes, gateways,interfaces, servers, or disparate platforms, that facilitate bothpacket-switched (PS) (e.g., internet protocol (IP), frame relay,asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)) and circuit-switched (CS) traffic(e.g., voice and data), as well as control generation for networkedwireless telecommunication. As a non-limiting example, mobile networkplatform 510 can be included in telecommunications carrier networks andcan be considered carrier-side components as discussed elsewhere herein.Mobile network platform 510 comprises CS gateway node(s) 512 which caninterface CS traffic received from legacy networks like telephonynetwork(s) 540 (e.g., public switched telephone network (PSTN), orpublic land mobile network (PLMN)) or a signaling system #7 (SS7)network 560. CS gateway node(s) 512 can authorize and authenticatetraffic (e.g., voice) arising from such networks. Additionally, CSgateway node(s) 512 can access mobility, or roaming, data generatedthrough SS7 network 560; for instance, mobility data stored in a visitedlocation register (VLR), which can reside in memory 530. Moreover, CSgateway node(s) 512 interfaces CS-based traffic and signaling and PSgateway node(s) 518. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, CS gatewaynode(s) 512 can be realized at least in part in gateway GPRS supportnode(s) (GGSN). It should be appreciated that functionality and specificoperation of CS gateway node(s) 512, PS gateway node(s) 518, and servingnode(s) 516, is provided and dictated by radio technology(ies) utilizedby mobile network platform 510 for telecommunication over a radio accessnetwork 520 with other devices, such as a radiotelephone 575.

In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic andsignaling, PS gateway node(s) 518 can authorize and authenticatePS-based data sessions with served mobile devices. Data sessions cancomprise traffic, or content(s), exchanged with networks external to themobile network platform 510, like wide area network(s) (WANs) 550,enterprise network(s) 570, and service network(s) 580, which can beembodied in local area network(s) (LANs), can also be interfaced withmobile network platform 510 through PS gateway node(s) 518. It is to benoted that WANs 550 and enterprise network(s) 570 can embody, at leastin part, a service network(s) like IP multimedia subsystem (IMS). Basedon radio technology layer(s) available in technology resource(s) orradio access network 520, PS gateway node(s) 518 can generate packetdata protocol contexts when a data session is established; other datastructures that facilitate routing of packetized data also can begenerated. To that end, in an aspect, PS gateway node(s) 518 cancomprise a tunnel interface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG) in3GPP UMTS network(s) (not shown)) which can facilitate packetizedcommunication with disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Finetworks.

In embodiment 500, mobile network platform 510 also comprises servingnode(s) 516 that, based upon available radio technology layer(s) withintechnology resource(s) in the radio access network 520, convey thevarious packetized flows of data streams received through PS gatewaynode(s) 518. It is to be noted that for technology resource(s) that relyprimarily on CS communication, server node(s) can deliver trafficwithout reliance on PS gateway node(s) 518; for example, server node(s)can embody at least in part a mobile switching center. As an example, ina 3GPP UMTS network, serving node(s) 516 can be embodied in serving GPRSsupport node(s) (SGSN).

For radio technologies that exploit packetized communication, server(s)514 in mobile network platform 510 can execute numerous applicationsthat can generate multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows,and manage (e.g., schedule, queue, format . . . ) such flows. Suchapplication(s) can comprise add-on features to standard services (forexample, provisioning, billing, customer support . . . ) provided bymobile network platform 510. Data streams (e.g., content(s) that arepart of a voice call or data session) can be conveyed to PS gatewaynode(s) 518 for authorization/authentication and initiation of a datasession, and to serving node(s) 516 for communication thereafter. Inaddition to application server, server(s) 514 can comprise utilityserver(s), a utility server can comprise a provisioning server, anoperations and maintenance server, a security server that can implementat least in part a certificate authority and firewalls as well as othersecurity mechanisms, and the like. In an aspect, security server(s)secure communication served through mobile network platform 510 toensure network's operation and data integrity in addition toauthorization and authentication procedures that CS gateway node(s) 512and PS gateway node(s) 518 can enact. Moreover, provisioning server(s)can provision services from external network(s) like networks operatedby a disparate service provider; for instance, WAN 550 or GlobalPositioning System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning server(s)can also provision coverage through networks associated to mobilenetwork platform 510 (e.g., deployed and operated by the same serviceprovider), such as the distributed antennas networks shown in FIG. 1(s)that enhance wireless service coverage by providing more networkcoverage.

It is to be noted that server(s) 514 can comprise one or more processorsconfigured to confer at least in part the functionality of mobilenetwork platform 510. To that end, the one or more processors canexecute code instructions stored in memory 530, for example. It shouldbe appreciated that server(s) 514 can comprise a content manager, whichoperates in substantially the same manner as described hereinbefore.

In example embodiment 500, memory 530 can store information related tooperation of mobile network platform 510. Other operational informationcan comprise provisioning information of mobile devices served throughmobile network platform 510, subscriber databases; applicationintelligence, pricing schemes, e.g., promotional rates, flat-rateprograms, couponing campaigns; technical specification(s) consistentwith telecommunication protocols for operation of disparate radio, orwireless, technology layers; and so forth. Memory 530 can also storeinformation from at least one of telephony network(s) 540, WAN 550, SS7network 560, or enterprise network(s) 570. In an aspect, memory 530 canbe, for example, accessed as part of a data store component or as aremotely connected memory store.

In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the disclosedsubject matter, FIG. 5 , and the following discussion, are intended toprovide a brief, general description of a suitable environment in whichthe various aspects of the disclosed subject matter can be implemented.While the subject matter has been described above in the general contextof computer-executable instructions of a computer program that runs on acomputer and/or computers, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe disclosed subject matter also can be implemented in combination withother program modules. Generally, program modules comprise routines,programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform particulartasks and/or implement particular abstract data types.

Turning now to FIG. 6 , an illustrative embodiment of a communicationdevice 600 is shown. The communication device 600 can serve as anillustrative embodiment of devices such as data terminals 114, mobiledevices 124, vehicle 126, display devices 144 or other client devicesfor communication via either communications network 125. For example,computing device 600 can facilitate in whole or in part obtaining inputdata, processing the input data to generate output data, the output dataincluding an identification of one or more characteristics associatedwith tethered communications involving at least a first user equipment,and based on the identification of the one or more characteristics,causing an action to be taken. Computing device 600 can facilitate inwhole or in part identifying a pattern in communications involving afirst communication device, based on the identifying of the pattern,determining that a probability that the first communication device and asecond communication device are engaged in tethered communications isgreater than a threshold, and based on the determining that theprobability is greater than the threshold, allocating a network resourceto a communication session involving the first communication device.Computing device 600 can facilitate in whole or in part detecting, by aprocessing system including a processor, that a first user equipment isbeing used as a hotspot in respect of at least a second user equipmentand a third user equipment based on an analysis of data via machinelearning, and modifying, by the processing system and based on thedetecting, a value of a communication parameter associated with thefirst user equipment to enhance a first quality of a first communicationsession involving the second user equipment and a second quality of asecond communication session involving the third user equipment.

The communication device 600 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 602 (herein transceiver 602), a user interface (UI) 604, apower supply 614, a location receiver 616, a motion sensor 618, anorientation sensor 620, and a controller 606 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 602 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, Wi-Fi, DECT,or cellular communication technologies, just to mention a few(Bluetooth® and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth®Special Interest Group and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellulartechnologies can include, for example, CDMA-1×, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS,TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generationwireless communication technologies as they arise. The transceiver 602can also be adapted to support circuit-switched wireline accesstechnologies (such as PSTN), packet-switched wireline accesstechnologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP, etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 604 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 608 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device600. The keypad 608 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 600 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. The keypad 608 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 604 can further include a display610 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 600. In anembodiment where the display 610 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 608 can be presented by way of the display 610 withnavigation features.

The display 610 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 600 can be adapted to present a user interfacehaving graphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by auser with a touch of a finger. The display 610 can be equipped withcapacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology to detect howmuch surface area of a user's finger has been placed on a portion of thetouch screen display. This sensing information can be used to controlthe manipulation of the GUI elements or other functions of the userinterface. The display 610 can be an integral part of the housingassembly of the communication device 600 or an independent devicecommunicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (suchas a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 604 can also include an audio system 612 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high-volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 612 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 612 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI604 can further include an image sensor 613 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 614 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 600 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable communications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 616 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 600 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 618can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 600 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 620 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device600 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 600 can use the transceiver 602 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, or otherwireless access points by sensing techniques such as utilizing areceived signal strength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival(TOA) or time of flight (TOF) measurements. The controller 606 canutilize computing technologies such as a microprocessor, a digitalsignal processor (DSP), programmable gate arrays, application specificintegrated circuits, and/or a video processor with associated storagememory such as Flash, ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologiesfor executing computer instructions, controlling, and processing datasupplied by the aforementioned components of the communication device600.

Other components not shown in FIG. 6 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 600 can include a slot for adding or removing an identity modulesuch as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card or Universal IntegratedCircuit Card (UICC). SIM or UICC cards can be used for identifyingsubscriber services, executing programs, storing subscriber data, and soon.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and so forth, as used in theclaims, unless otherwise clear by context, is for clarity only and doesnot otherwise indicate or imply any order in time. For instance, “afirst determination,” “a second determination,” and “a thirddetermination,” does not indicate or imply that the first determinationis to be made before the second determination, or vice versa, etc.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “storage,” “datastore,” data storage,” “database,” and substantially any otherinformation storage component relevant to operation and functionality ofa component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a“memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciatedthat the memory components described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory, or can comprise both volatile andnonvolatile memory, by way of illustration, and not limitation, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, disk storage, and memory storage. Further,nonvolatile memory can be included in read only memory (ROM),programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM),electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory cancomprise random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cachememory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available inmany forms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM),synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhancedSDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).Additionally, the disclosed memory components of systems or methodsherein are intended to comprise, without being limited to comprising,these and any other suitable types of memory.

Moreover, it will be noted that the disclosed subject matter can bepracticed with other computer system configurations, comprisingsingle-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, mini-computingdevices, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-heldcomputing devices (e.g., PDA, phone, smartphone, watch, tabletcomputers, netbook computers, etc.), microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer or industrial electronics, and the like. Theillustrated aspects can also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices thatare linked through a communications network; however, some if not allaspects of the subject disclosure can be practiced on stand-alonecomputers. In a distributed computing environment, program modules canbe located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

In one or more embodiments, information regarding use of services can begenerated including services being accessed, media consumption history,user preferences, and so forth. This information can be obtained byvarious methods including user input, detecting types of communications(e.g., video content vs. audio content), analysis of content streams,sampling, and so forth. The generating, obtaining and/or monitoring ofthis information can be responsive to an authorization provided by theuser. In one or more embodiments, an analysis of data can be subject toauthorization from user(s) associated with the data, such as an opt-in,an opt-out, acknowledgement requirements, notifications, selectiveauthorization based on types of data, and so forth.

Some of the embodiments described herein can also employ artificialintelligence (AI) to facilitate automating one or more featuresdescribed herein. The embodiments (e.g., in connection withautomatically identifying acquired cell sites that provide a maximumvalue/benefit after addition to an existing communication network) canemploy various AI-based schemes for carrying out various embodimentsthereof. Moreover, the classifier can be employed to determine a rankingor priority of each cell site of the acquired network. A classifier is afunction that maps an input attribute vector, x=(x₁, x₂, x₃, x₄ . . .x_(n)), to a confidence that the input belongs to a class, that is,f(x)=confidence (class). Such classification can employ a probabilisticand/or statistical-based analysis (e.g., factoring into the analysisutilities and costs) to determine or infer an action that a user desiresto be automatically performed. A support vector machine (SVM) is anexample of a classifier that can be employed. The SVM operates byfinding a hypersurface in the space of possible inputs, which thehypersurface attempts to split the triggering criteria from thenon-triggering events. Intuitively, this makes the classificationcorrect for testing data that is near, but not identical to trainingdata. Other directed and undirected model classification approachescomprise, e.g., naïve Bayes, Bayesian networks, decision trees, neuralnetworks, fuzzy logic models, and probabilistic classification modelsproviding different patterns of independence can be employed.Classification as used herein also is inclusive of statisticalregression that is utilized to develop models of priority.

As will be readily appreciated, one or more of the embodiments canemploy classifiers that are explicitly trained (e.g., via a generictraining data) as well as implicitly trained (e.g., via observing UEbehavior, operator preferences, historical information, receivingextrinsic information). For example, SVMs can be configured via alearning or training phase within a classifier constructor and featureselection module. Thus, the classifier(s) can be used to automaticallylearn and perform a number of functions, including but not limited todetermining according to predetermined criteria which of the acquiredcell sites will benefit a maximum number of subscribers and/or which ofthe acquired cell sites will add minimum value to the existingcommunication network coverage, etc.

As used in some contexts in this application, in some embodiments, theterms “component,” “system” and the like are intended to refer to, orcomprise, a computer-related entity or an entity related to anoperational apparatus with one or more specific functionalities, whereinthe entity can be either hardware, a combination of hardware andsoftware, software, or software in execution. As an example, a componentmay be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, aprocessor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution,computer-executable instructions, a program, and/or a computer. By wayof illustration and not limitation, both an application running on aserver and the server can be a component. One or more components mayreside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component maybe localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or morecomputers. In addition, these components can execute from variouscomputer readable media having various data structures stored thereon.The components may communicate via local and/or remote processes such asin accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., datafrom one component interacting with another component in a local system,distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet withother systems via the signal). As another example, a component can be anapparatus with specific functionality provided by mechanical partsoperated by electric or electronic circuitry, which is operated by asoftware or firmware application executed by a processor, wherein theprocessor can be internal or external to the apparatus and executes atleast a part of the software or firmware application. As yet anotherexample, a component can be an apparatus that provides specificfunctionality through electronic components without mechanical parts,the electronic components can comprise a processor therein to executesoftware or firmware that confers at least in part the functionality ofthe electronic components. While various components have beenillustrated as separate components, it will be appreciated that multiplecomponents can be implemented as a single component, or a singlecomponent can be implemented as multiple components, without departingfrom example embodiments.

Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method,apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedsubject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device or computer-readable storage/communicationsmedia. For example, computer readable storage media can include, but arenot limited to, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk,magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digitalversatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g.,card, stick, key drive). Of course, those skilled in the art willrecognize many modifications can be made to this configuration withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the various embodiments.

In addition, the words “example” and “exemplary” are used herein to meanserving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or designdescribed herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments ordesigns. Rather, use of the word example or exemplary is intended topresent concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, theterm “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive“or”. That is, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, “Xemploys A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusivepermutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both Aand B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoinginstances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in thisapplication and the appended claims should generally be construed tomean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context tobe directed to a singular form.

Moreover, terms such as “user equipment,” “mobile station,” “mobile,”subscriber station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,” “mobiledevice” (and/or terms representing similar terminology) can refer to awireless device utilized by a subscriber or user of a wirelesscommunication service to receive or convey data, control, voice, video,sound, gaming or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. Theforegoing terms are utilized interchangeably herein and with referenceto the related drawings.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer” andthe like are employed interchangeably throughout, unless contextwarrants particular distinctions among the terms. It should beappreciated that such terms can refer to human entities or automatedcomponents supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacityto make inference based, at least, on complex mathematical formalisms),which can provide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

As employed herein, the term “processor” can refer to substantially anycomputing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited tocomprising, single-core processors; single-processors with softwaremultithread execution capability; multi-core processors; multi-coreprocessors with software multithread execution capability; multi-coreprocessors with hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; andparallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, aprocessor can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), acomplex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistorlogic, discrete hardware components or any combination thereof designedto perform the functions described herein. Processors can exploitnano-scale architectures such as, but not limited to, molecular andquantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimizespace usage or enhance performance of user equipment. A processor canalso be implemented as a combination of computing processing units.

As used herein, terms such as “data storage,” data storage,” “database,”and substantially any other information storage component relevant tooperation and functionality of a component, refer to “memorycomponents,” or entities embodied in a “memory” or components comprisingthe memory. It will be appreciated that the memory components orcomputer-readable storage media, described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory.

What has been described above includes mere examples of variousembodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes ofdescribing these examples, but one of ordinary skill in the art canrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the presentembodiments are possible. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed and/orclaimed herein are intended to embrace all such alterations,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes”is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term isintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim.

In addition, a flow diagram may include a “start” and/or “continue”indication. The “start” and “continue” indications reflect that thesteps presented can optionally be incorporated in or otherwise used inconjunction with other routines. In this context, “start” indicates thebeginning of the first step presented and may be preceded by otheractivities not specifically shown. Further, the “continue” indicationreflects that the steps presented may be performed multiple times and/ormay be succeeded by other activities not specifically shown. Further,while a flow diagram indicates a particular ordering of steps, otherorderings are likewise possible provided that the principles ofcausality are maintained.

As may also be used herein, the term(s) “operably coupled to”, “coupledto”, and/or “coupling” includes direct coupling between items and/orindirect coupling between items via one or more intervening items. Suchitems and intervening items include, but are not limited to, junctions,communication paths, components, circuit elements, circuits, functionalblocks, and/or devices. As an example of indirect coupling, a signalconveyed from a first item to a second item may be modified by one ormore intervening items by modifying the form, nature or format ofinformation in a signal, while one or more elements of the informationin the signal are nevertheless conveyed in a manner than can berecognized by the second item. In a further example of indirectcoupling, an action in a first item can cause a reaction on the seconditem, as a result of actions and/or reactions in one or more interveningitems.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves thesame or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments describedor shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intendedto cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can becombined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. Inone or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can alsobe negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or withoutreplacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The stepsor functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functionsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure canbe performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions ofthe subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from othersteps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further,more than or less than all of the features described with respect to anembodiment can also be utilized.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device, comprising: a processing system including a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising: obtaining input data; processing the input data to generate output data, the output data including an identification of one or more characteristics associated with tethered communications involving at least a first user equipment; and based on the identification of the one or more characteristics, causing an action to be taken.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the identification of the one or more characteristics comprises an indication that the first user equipment is being used as a hotspot to provide at least a second user equipment access to a communication service.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the identification of the one or more characteristics comprises an indication that the first user equipment is associated with a first service provider and the second user equipment is associated with a second service provider that is different from the first service provider.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the causing of the action to be taken comprises causing an advertisement associated with the first service provider to be transmitted to the second user equipment.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the advertisement includes an identification of a location and a time when the second user equipment was involved in the tethered communications.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the identification of the one or more characteristics comprises an indication of an amount of traffic involved in the tethered communications.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the identification of the one or more characteristics comprises an indication of whether the first user equipment is permitted to engage in tethered communications.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein when the indication of whether the first user equipment is permitted to engage in tethered communications indicates that the first user equipment is prohibited from engaging in tethered communications the causing of the action comprises: reducing a grade of service associated with the first user equipment, enhancing security within a network, or a combination thereof.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the identification of the one or more characteristics comprises an indication of a total number of user equipment that is engaged in the tethered communications.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the identification of the one or more characteristics comprises an indication of a type or kind of each of a plurality of communication devices involved in the tethered communications, the plurality of communication devices including the first user equipment.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the identification of the one or more characteristics comprises an indication of a duration of a communication session facilitated by the tethered communications.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the identification of the one or more characteristics comprises an indication of at least one communication parameter associated with a plurality of communication devices engaged in the tethered communications, the plurality of communication devices including the first user equipment.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein the indication of the at least one communication parameter comprises: an indication of a type of technology, an indication of a frequency or frequency band, an indication of a transmission power level, an indication of a receiver sensitivity level, an indication of noise, an indication of interference, an indication of a security scheme, an indication of a modulation scheme, an indication of a demodulation scheme, an indication of an encoding scheme, an indication of a decoding scheme, or any combination thereof.
 14. The device of claim 1, wherein the causing of the action to be taken comprises causing a resource associated with a network to be reallocated from a first use to a second use, the second use involving the tethered communications.
 15. The device of claim 1, wherein the input data includes first data pertaining to an access point name or a bearer identity, second data pertaining to a time to live or hop limit associated with traffic, third data pertaining to domain name system information, and fourth data pertaining to an international mobile equipment identity or mobile station integrated services digital network (IMEI/MSISDN) information.
 16. The device of claim 1, wherein the obtaining of the input data is performed via a network probe, and wherein the executable instructions are associated with an application that is executed by the processing system.
 17. A non-transitory machine-readable medium, comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processing system including a processor, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising: identifying a pattern in communications involving a first communication device; based on the identifying of the pattern, determining that a probability that the first communication device and a second communication device are engaged in tethered communications is greater than a threshold; and based on the determining that the probability is greater than the threshold, allocating a network resource to a communication session involving the first communication device.
 18. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the allocating of the network resource reduces a latency of a data transfer operation between the first communication device and the second communication device.
 19. A method, comprising: detecting, by a processing system including a processor, that a first user equipment is being used as a hotspot in respect of at least a second user equipment and a third user equipment based on an analysis of data via machine learning; and modifying, by the processing system and based on the detecting, a value of a communication parameter associated with the first user equipment to enhance a first quality of a first communication session involving the second user equipment and a second quality of a second communication session involving the third user equipment.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the detecting further comprises detecting that the first user equipment is being used as a hotspot in respect of a fourth user equipment, the method further comprising: determining, by the processing system, that the first user equipment is associated with a first service provider and the fourth user equipment is associated with a second service provider that is different from the first service provider; determining, by the processing system, that an agreement involving a user of the first user equipment and the first service provider prohibits the first user equipment from serving as a hotspot in respect of communication devices associated with the second service provider; and causing, by the processing system and based on the determining that the agreement prohibits the first user equipment from serving as a hotspot in respect of communication devices associated with the second service provider, a third communication session involving the first user equipment and the fourth user equipment to be terminated. 